SO YOU WANT TO RUN FOR CITY COUNCIL?
Join US for a workshop designed to demystify the process of entering local politics!
WHEN: Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
WHERE: Gavilan College Gilroy Campus at 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., Gilroy, CA 95020. (More details shared after RSVP.)
WHAT: Faculty from the Gavilan College Political Science Department and a panel of current/former elected officials will share the ins and outs of running for (and holding) political office, specifically at the local government level. The discussion will focus on what it takes to get elected as a city councilmember, examples of how a city council should work as a governing body, how a city council can work with the community to accomplish goals, and how a city council can best support city staff after getting elected - including how to work with officials in departments like police, fire, planning, building, parks, recreation, and finance.
See below to learn more about the hosts and expert panel of current/former elected officials.
COST: Free
PRESENTED BY:
RSVP to Attend:
The event is free to attend. Please RSVP to reserve your spot due to limited seating.
HOSTED BY GAVILAN COLLEGE FACULTY:
Casey J. Estorga
Casey has been teaching Political Science at Gavilan College since 2018 with a focus on American Government and Politics. Casey emphasizes not only the theoretical role of government, but how core principles of governance actually work in practice.
Casey also has decorated career in local government throughout the Bay Area and Central Coast, including by holding positions of City Manager, Finance Director, and Human Resources Director. He also served as the chief negotiator during labor negotiations, served on the board of a municipal insurance JPA, and served as Risk Manager for multiple local governments. Casey also advised the State of California on fiscal policy, funding, and regulations for statewide human services programs.
Casey is a former Planning Commissioner and is a graduate of Stanford University’s Local Governance Summer Institute, where he led a cohort tasked with improving public administrators’ ability to enhance societal change, including specifically on issues of national significance.
Casey’s academic credentials include a Master’s degree in Urban Planning, a Master’s degree in Public Administration, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Casey is also currently enrolled in law school.
Marc Turetzky, Ph.D.
Dr. Turetzky has been the core of Gavilan College’s Political Science Department for the past 25 years. He has a Ph.D. in Political Science from the Florida State University, focusing his research on American Government and World Politics. Dr. Turetzky teaches courses covering the following topics: American Government, Comparative Politics, Conflict Resolution, Political Thought, International Relations, and American Foreign Policy.
Many of the region’s leaders in government have been directly influenced by Dr. Turetzky, including with an impressive collection of Bay Area and Central Coast elected officials calling him a friend. Dr. Turetzky is a no-nonsense political scientist and tells the truth about government and politics - even if it hurts your feelings.
PANELISTS
Cat Tucker
Cat was first elected to the Gilroy City Council in November 2007 and served until 2020. She championed responsible growth, neighborhood safety, downtown revitalization, economic development, quality-of-life improvements, including the construction of the new Gilroy Library. She also spent eight years on the City's Planning Commission and served on the City’s Parks and Recreation Commission.
While serving her community, Cat also worked in business management and operations at Applied Materials. She and her husband, a small business owner in Gilroy, raised their two children in the community they love. Cat remains involved with the Gilroy Rotary and continues to volunteer for the Gilroy Garlic Festival and St. Mary's parish.
Carol Marques
Carol is a Gilroy native and became a Gilroy City Councilmember in 2022. She previously served as a junior high school teacher and academic coach in the Gilroy Unified School District for nearly 40 years before retiring and shifting her focus to local government and community advocacy. A founding member of Gilroy Growing Smarter, Carol has been involved in efforts to protect open space, promoting smart growth, and addressing housing affordability while preserving the city's character. She serves as Mayor Pro Tempore and holds appointments on several regional boards, including the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency and the Santa Clara County Library Joint Powers Authority.
Kelly Ramirez
Kelly is a longtime Gilroy resident who has lived in the city for nearly 50 years. A retired teacher with 17 years in education, she later spent 15 years in nonprofit organization management, where she gained experience handling multi-million-dollar budgets and staff oversight. Prior to being elected to City Council in 2024, she served on the Gilroy Planning Commission and has been deeply involved in community organizations, including as president of the Gilroy Rotary Club, treasurer of the Gilroy Garlic Festival Board of Directors, and other local roles. Kelly is currently appointed to regional bodies such as ABAG, the Gilroy Gardens Board of Directors, and the Cities Association of Santa Clara County. Known for her community advocacy, she emphasizes responsible growth, economic development, and common-sense leadership.